Reborn: The First Rank "Madam"

C6 – Chess Piece

After a four-hour meditation session, Zuo Shaoqing gently opened his eyes and released a deep sigh of relief. Drawing from his past life’s experiences, he managed to harness his dantian in a mere two hours, a significant improvement compared to the three days it had taken him to connect with it previously.

The rumbling protests of hunger emanated from Zuo Shaoqing’s stomach, prompting him to call out toward the door, “Nanny Liu…”

The ancient wooden door groaned as it swung open, but the person entering wasn’t Nanny Liu; instead, a dark-skinned teenager, aged around fourteen or fifteen, stepped inside.

This youth was of short stature, boasting a round face adorned with large, intelligent eyes. Rushing toward Zuo Shaoqing, he eagerly inquired, “Master, Nanny Liu is fetching the meal. How may I assist you in the meantime?”

Zuo Shaoqing regarded him thoughtfully, his face revealing a complex blend of emotions. He couldn’t forget that the person who had been a constant presence by his side for seven years in the Zuo Family wasn’t Nanny Liu, who had cared for him, nor was it Zuo Shaoyan, who had occasionally shown him kindness. Instead, it was Luo Xiaoliu, his steadfast companion.

To him, despite Luo Xiaoliu’s role as a servant, he had always been a cherished playmate. Whenever something delightful crossed Zuo Shaoqing’s path, Luo Xiaoliu was never far behind. In the beginning, there were even concerns that Mrs. Xue might dismiss Luo Xiaoliu from the Zuo Family.

Nevertheless, over the course of those two thousand days and nights, Zuo Shaoqing came to grasp a great deal. He began to understand why Mrs. Xue reprimanded him every time he acted out of line and why she lent an ear to the grievances he shared behind her back…

“Little Six…” Zuo Shaoqing’s voice carried a hint of huskiness, prompting him to clear his throat twice to regain his composure. Addressing the bowed head of Luo Xiaoliu, he requested, “I’m feeling rather parched. Would you kindly prepare a cup of tea for me?”

Luo Xiaoliu gazed upward, responding with an innocent smile, completely oblivious to his master’s unusual demeanor.

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After enjoying a cup of tea, Zuo Shaoqing settled by the bedside, contemplating how to handle the pawn planted by Mrs. Xue An.

He possessed numerous strategies to make Luo Xiaoliu vanish, but if he did so, Mrs. Xue would undoubtedly arrange for another Zhang Xiaozhu or Wang Xiaosi to disappear, rendering Luo Xiaoliu even more vulnerable.

Instead of expending effort guarding against the enigmatic next move, it made more sense to maintain control of the chess piece.

Standing attentively at the periphery, Luo Xiaoliu grew increasingly concerned as Zuo Shaoqing’s silence persisted. He inquired anxiously, “Master, are you alright?”

Zuo Shaoqing cast a brief glance at him and reassured, “I’m fine. When I think about the professor’s whereabouts tomorrow at school, I can’t help but wonder where he’ll be today. Punishment awaits him, undoubtedly.”

Luo Xiaoliu beamed brilliantly, revealing his charming pair of canine teeth, and proudly exclaimed, “I understand! ‘Eating and clothing are the most fundamental forms of etiquette’.”

“Oh? How do you know? “

“I encountered Liu Sheng, the errand boy of the Second Master, just outside the Second Gate. Second Master didn’t go to the school today; instead, he went to report on the forgery.”

“Speaking of Second Master, I haven’t even caught a glimpse of my second brother when I went to offer my respects,” Zuo Shaoqing remarked, lowering his head, with his long eyelashes casting a shadow on his eyelids. No one could fathom his thoughts at that moment.

“Hehe, I heard from Liu Sheng that Second Master spent the night on West Street. Master is furious about it, and Second Master won’t return until after dark.”

West Street was Youuxi Town’s equivalent of Flower Street, teeming with crimson brothels. Ever since Zuo Shaoling discovered that people loved to frequent it, he had grown increasingly exasperated with Master Zuo for spending his entire day there.

Regrettably, Mrs. Xue cherished her son above all else. Even though he couldn’t argue with her, Zuo Family’s Second Master chose to remain outside and didn’t return home after exchanging a few words.

Zuo Shaoqing thought about how his second brother had never fought against him since he was young. In his previous life, he had always been at a disadvantage. Perhaps, he might be able to recover some interest for the rest of his life.

One must know that the most overbearing and unreasonable people usually had the simplest minds.

Following lunch, Zuo Shaoqing dismissed Luo Xiaoliu and instructed Nanny Liu to prepare his cherished green bean cake. He then grabbed his money pouch and departed.

With his newfound lease on life, he harbored deep-seated suspicions and was reluctant to confide in anyone. Despite being aware of Luo Xiaoliu’s plight, he refused to allow him to divulge his activities to Mrs. Xue.

When it came to manipulating someone, there was no alternative to the tactics of “coercion and temptation.” Lacking wealth and influence, Zuo Shaoqing had no choice but to initiate proceedings with the former.

Exiting the side gate of Zuo’s Mansion, Zuo Shaoqing strolled along the familiar streets. Seven years had passed, yet he could vividly recall the elderly man vending sesame seed cakes, Auntie Li vending pearl flowers, and Widow Chen vending tofu… Each location he passed held memories of his hometown, Youuxi Town.

In comparison to the bustling capital, Youuxi Town was notably quieter. Nevertheless, it was the sole place Zuo Shaoqing longed for and a place that haunted him in the capital.

Upon entering a secluded apothecary, Zuo Shaoqing handed a prescription to the apothecary’s assistant to gather the required herbs. As the medicine boy gazed at him strangely, he exited the shop.

“Master, the medicinal herbs you just purchased had a peculiar mark on them. I recall you cautioning against careless use of this particular medicine, am I correct?”

“Kiss, that’s highly toxic. How much did he buy?”

“Half a dollar.”

“Oh, that’s alright. It might be used to treat some kind of vicious sore.” Old Doctor replied indifferently.

The ingredient girl carefully recalled the herbs on the prescription and nodded her head in agreement. It really did look like a prescription for ointment.